Job Description

Program Manager (Develop Strategies)

Full Time Contract position with benefits until March 31, 2026

Communitech helps founders start, grow and succeed

At Communitech, were all about the F word. Founders.

We were built by tech founders who saw the need for a community of support to help ensure the future prosperity of Canada. No other innovation hub can say that, which is pretty cool.

Established in 1997, our mission has been our guide ever since. Were here to support the founder at every stage of their journey, providing accelerated opportunities to access talent, capital and sales.

As Canadas tech supercharger, we help founders:

Hire and retain the smartest, brightest and most experienced people

Access growth financing at every stage

Sell to the biggest customers at home and around the world

Connect the right people at the right time - peers who have been there before, coaches who can guide them through the difficult spots and partners from all over Canada

Were looking to grow our team with passionate people - people who believe in our mission and who are willing to do what it takes to help our founders succeed. If you like to work collaboratively, get s#!t done and be a champion for Canadian tech, we want to hear from you. Wonder what its like to work at Communitech? Learn more at

Communitech is a hybrid organization headquartered in downtown Kitchener, Ontario. In-person connection is important to us, so we get together regularly for special events, collaboration days and team socials, and we ask our team members to work onsite from our Kitchener facility for a minimum of 60 hours per month, every Tuesday being our team-wide in person collaboration day. We are a flexible, people first environment and want to allow our people to make decisions and choices about where they work to support work life balance within clear guidelines.

Communitech, through Canadas Tech Network, will roll out a coordinated ElevateIP program in Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The program will facilitate IP support by BAIs (Business Accelerators and Incubators) to startups, help increase the IP capacity of the BAI ecosystem through IP education for BAIs and their startups, as well as enable BAIs to provide targeted support to help startups secure and maintain IP rights.

Reporting to the Director, Elevate IP, the Program Manager will oversee the successful development, implementation and execution of products, services and activities related to the Developing IP Strategies program pillar of ElevateIP, a federally funded initiative to ensure more equitable access to:

IP protection awareness, promotion and information

IP strategy mentorship and coaching

Funding the development and implementation of IP strategies

What youll be doing:

Provide access to coaching, resources and support required by startups to develop sound IP strategies

Establish benchmarks (e.g., education, strategy development, technology readiness, etc.) required for startups to successful qualify for services and support

Development of cross-sectoral and professional database(s) of advisors based on expertise and need (accessible to partners, startups and BAIs)

Facilitate access to 1:1 advisory services and strategy consulting for startups

Create matchmaking processes and services to connect startups to bespoke assessments, advice, legal and advisory services, and other experts to support the development of their IP strategy

Create programming for high-potential, IP-intensive startups to receive specialized coaching and advice

Oversee the development and delivery of an IP strategy training module for founders from underrepresented groups

Support the development of the program database and related infrastructure to field inquiries and point startups to regional service providers and programs

Oversee the support for BAI delivery of programs and services, including assessment and selection of programs, as well as the disbursement of funding to BAIs

Manage all vendor and advisory contracts and agreements

Scale regional programs/services identified as high-potential and in-demand::

Successful net-new pilot programs

Extend proven programs through BAIs or other collaborators

General duties:

Lead collaboration with partner organizations (Communitech partners and ElevateIP national partners), and collaborator organizations (BAIs, vendors, etc.) to successfully deliver programming

Help recruit startups and other collaborators into the program

Develop and control program deadlines, budgets and activities

Prepare reports for senior leadership on project status and health

Work with Reporting Specialist as required to ensure all program metrics are accurately collected

Represent the Data & Advanced Technologies team at events where required

Build relationships and work collaboratively with other groups within Communitech in support of the various initiatives

Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements:

5+ years of experience in working in multi-stakeholder environments

Demonstrated experience designing, managing, delivering and scaling programs involving cross-functional teams

Knowledge of intellectual property and its importance to the Canadian ecosystem

Ability to understand the essence, importance and impact of a wide variety of technologies

Interested in technology startups and entrepreneurship

Community builder, who really cares about building and maintaining lasting relationships with companies, third parties and a broad range of departments within Communitech

Results driven, execution oriented, comfortable with minimal direction and high expectations

Project management experience, including experience with Salesforce, Asana, and G Suite (Google Docs, Google Sheets, etc.)

An organized, proactive leader who can coordinate the activities of partners across multiple internal departments and external organizations;

Innovative and experimental with a growth mindset - always trying new ways to better engage the community

Willing to represent Communitech at events outside of normal working hours on occasion

Ability to travel as need arises

To Apply

Please apply online along with your resume and cover letter.

We thank all applicants in advance; however only individuals selected for an interview will be contacted. All applications will be kept confidential. Communitech is a diverse and inclusive environment and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including aboriginal persons, francophones, members of sexual minority groups, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, and women. We will provide any requested accommodation to candidates with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.

Communitech